Tatiana’s Overtime Heroics Defeats Alabama 4 – 3

“When you get your last look in the game with 32 seconds left, that’s the kid you want on the ball.” That’s how Auburn Head Soccer Coach Karen Hoppa described Tatiana Coleman’s second goal of the match against Alabama Thursday with just seconds remaining in the second overtime period.

Auburn had jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half but Alabama came back to tie it up in the second half and force the overtime play.

The win gave the Tigers a first round bye in next weeks SEC Tournament and perhaps more importantly, brought the Iron Bowl of Soccer Trophy back to The Plains. Coach Hoppa said it was, “A huge victory, the biggest win of the year so far.”

It was probably the biggest goal for Coleman this year, who now has nine game winners. She put the ball over the goal keeper’s head and into the net from 20 yards out. “When that went over the keeper I couldn’t believe it,” Coleman said. “Losing the trophy last year made us really want to get it back. We worked hard in the first half, we got those three goals and then we got complacent and they punished us. But we came back and got the trophy back.”

What a great way to end the regular season. The Soccer Team will now face Tennessee Wednesday at 2:30 CST in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals at Orange Beach .

P W Elder is a history buff, upland bird hunter, and Track 'em Tigers' Managing Editor. He loves tailgating with his family and friends, following all things Auburn, and spending time with his wife in the Loveliest Village on The Plains. View Profile →